Cultures in conflict?

We are both, witnesses and players, in a gigantic and seemingly endless globalization process that impacts all human beings, institutions and nations worldwide. .

Globalization tends to transform all institutions in our societies profoundly, even the cultural institutions are not immune to this process. On one hand, globalization is perceived as an opportunity for expanding world commerce and trade, and thus contributing to world peace. Yet it brings along a deep sense of insecurity and feeling of uncertainty, as traditional notions of state, home, culture and religion can no longer function as stable orientation for identity formations. Today, the process of globalisation is confronted with a growing worldwide resistance arising out of the injustice of global trade and the feeling of loss of control on one's destiny.

In view of the increasing number of crisis and conflicts with global relevance, it appears crucial to begin a cultural dialogue about common survival needs in the age of globalization.

Life is full of conflicts , and conflicts between individuals, families, tribes, peoples, and cultures are common. However, in our interrelated and interconnected world, local conflicts tend to expand instantly and globally, and they have a tendency to engulf everyone, nobody can avoid being sucked into them. The new phenomenon of incessant stream of information has made us realize the impact of global conflicts on each of us, which requires dialogues between cultures to find surviving strategies for us all together.

Recognition is growing that wars and violence do not resolve anything, rather intensify the tensions; and that the direct negotiation between the involved parties has the best possibility of success - often with the help of mediators. The current attractiveness of mediation is signaling the longing of people to settle conflicts peacefully and to avoid destruction.

Focus of the 3rd Vienna Conference on Mediation:

• Opening day: »understanding cultures«
  The goal is exploring the foreign, the otherness of cultures.
• 2nd day: »Whom does this world belong?«
  We will analyse power structures and explore the strengths and problems of interconnectedness.
• 3rd day: Examples of conflict resolutions with mediation in different cultures and of different cultures of mediation
• 4th day: »Where to? future in conflict«
  Possible future developments and impacts. We will further investigate the positive and destructive potential of conflicts.

Who should attend:

• mediators, mediators in training
• experts in the fields of social and cultural studies, NGO's, religious communities
• representatives of politics, public administration, international organisations
• decision makers in the field of financial business, environment, schools, education, migration and social matters

The conference format will consist of: Lectures, seminars and workshops to raise issues and questions about diversity, contradictions and potential for conflict of human coexistence. The lecturers and seminar leaders will share their experience in understanding individuals and their cultures and helping manage their conflicts.

Programm: Prekongress: 23. und 24. September 2003

Wednesday, September 24, 2003 6.00 p.m r
Opening ceremony »Understanding cultures«
pening by Prof. Dr. Maya Nadig (D) and Prof. Dr. Joseph Duss-von Werdt (CH)

Thursday, September 25, 2003
»Who owns the world? Globalisation: benefit or curse«

Friday, September 26, 2003
»Mediation within cultures - culture of Mediation«

Saturday, September 27, 2003
»Where to? - future in conflict«

There will be keynote speeches, workshops, roundtable discussions, and presentations by speakers from Austria and many other countries. Detailed information can be found in the congress' programm. documents for download

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